Newsletter for the African American Community of Topeka, Kansas

July 2011

FOCUSING ON OUR YOUTH

Heavenly Visions Foundation

Heavenly Visions Foundation is a newly formed

501(c)(3) whose purpose is to empower youth, through

photography and to experience their world in new

ways. Local youth are given the opportunity to

visually express themselves in a supportive

environment and ignite their imagination. Yolanda

Haley Taylor, founder of Heavenly Visions

Foundation is the Photography Instructor for the

program. She currently provides structural training

during an after school program for students at Central

Park, Hillcrest and Garfield Community Centers.

Kids That Count

Kids That Count, a nonprofit youth organization was

created by Brian Peters in 2008 to provide a supportive

and structured learning environment in which kids can

learn how to better themselves to succeed in the next

level of their lives. Kids That Count instills good

values through the use of a structured environment,

with positive reinforcement, support through

mentoring and tutor based learning programs. For

information on Kids That Count, contact Brian Peters

at 785 554-9948.

Topeka NAACP ACT-SO Program

The ACT-SO Program is an enrichment program

designed to stimulate, recruit and encourage high

academics and cultural achievements among African

American High School Students. The students are able

to compete in 26 categories for medals and prizes.

Students who win gold medals in the local competition

are able to then compete nationally against other

students across the country. Students who win

nationally are able to win medals, receive scholarships

and prizes provided by national sponsors. National

NAACP ACT-SO Competition will be held in Los

Angeles, California July 20th-24

th.

For more information, email Dawn Kirton at

dawn.actsochair@yahoo.com or call 785 554-5628.

HEAVENLY VISIONS FOUNDATION PHOTO BOOK

FUNDRAISER……. FEATURE YOUR BUSINESS OR

ORGANIZATION IN THE PHOTO BOOK FOR A

SMALL FEE AND HELP STUDENTS IN THE

PHOTOGRAPHY PROGRAM TRAVEL TO

WASHINGTON DC (SUMMER OF 2012)

FOR DETAILS CALL 785 608-3291

Kids in Care of Kids

Jaide is the founder of her philanthropic organization

"Kids in Care of Kids". Jaide is currently in the

process of raising funds to keep her organization

solvent so she can assist organizations in Topeka

which work to make lives better for children in Topeka

and the surrounding areas. Her current fundraiser is

through the Great Topeka Duck Race held in

September. You can adopt a duck for $5 or a family of

ducks for $20 for the Great Topeka Duck Race. You

have a chance to win a 2001 Ford Mustang GT Coupe,

free gas for a year, tickets to the KC Royal's game,

$500 savings bond and much, much more. Jaide gets

to keep 50% of what she raises for her

organization. What has KICKS contributed to in the

past---Books for the Brown Foundation Library,

Battered Women's Task Force, The American Heart

Association, The Topeka Rescue Mission, Collected

stuffed animals for children in the hospital and

Adopted a bus stop to clean up cigarette butts for the

Keep America Beautiful-Topeka-"The Butt Stops

Here.‖ Jaide has received the following awards--Kohls

"Kid Who Care" Award-$1,000 scholarship, Top Ten

Fascinating Kansans-Topeka Capital Journal–2007,

Martin Luther King Youth Award and the Sertoma

Service to Mankind Youth Award. She has been

recognized by the Topeka Public School-School

Board, acknowledged as Distinguished Kansan of the

Year for Youth and has received a national award-

Yahoo - Purple Acts of Kindness. If you would like to

adopt a duck please contact Marie Carter (Jaide's

grandmother) at 785 925-3478.

Sylvia Hopper, Owner

Footprints Bookkeeping Services

office 785-266-5574, fax 785-266-8840

www.footprintsbookkeeping.com

Cleaning Etc., LLC

office (785) 266-7293, fax (785) 266-8840

Email: sylviacleaningetc@att.net

www.cleaningetc.biz

Golden City Sertoma

Annual Take a Kid Fishing Day

Over 25 local kids, ages 3- 17, attended the Golden

City Sertoma annual Take a Kid Fishing Day event at

Gage Park- Westlake Pond on Saturday, June 18,

2011. The event is an opportunity for area kids to learn

about fishing safety and to enjoy the outdoors. The

Kansas Wildlife and Parks Department conducted a

fishing safety clinic and provided the use of fishing

poles and bait for those that did not have a pole. The

kids fished for a couple of hours, were served lunch

and received a prize for participating in the event.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Capital City Business of Distinction

L&J Building Maintenance, LLC

L&J Building Maintenance, LLC recently gained

recognition as Capital City Business of Distinction.

As owner, Lonnie J. Williams

has a systematic approach in

developing quality services and

training around performance

with consistent results which has

made the firm a premier and

award winning commercial

cleaning and maintenance

company. In 1987, Lonnie

started his part-time janitorial

business providing services to the local community.

The firm has expanded to include total building

maintenance, refuse and recycling.

Soul Purpose Pampering Event

On Saturday, April 30, 2011, Lifestyle Entrepeneuer,

Beverly Cushinberry provided customers the

opportunity to experience

beauty and wellness

products that are highly

differentiated and

contained natural,

botanical-based

ingredients. The products

enable the experience of

universal beauty that

speaks to the mind, the

body and the spirit. Soul

Purpose products are

designed to inspire,

soothe, rejuvenate and empower the very essence of an

individual—from deep within the soul to the

individual’s unique spirit, and from head to toe.

Discovering and embracing ones magnificence—

spiritually and physically—is at the heart of everything

Soul Purpose does.

Topeka Performing Arts Center

Spirit Productions An Evening with Ben Vereen

Ben Vereen, who was the first performer to take the

stage of the Municipal Auditorium-turned-Topeka

Performing Arts Center, returned April 23, 2011 to

celebrate its 20th anniversary. Various activities/events

surrounded Mr. Vereen’s visit to Topeka. Pictured

below is Mariah Holt performing at the Sponsors VIP

Cocktail Reception.

For only $20.00 ADVERTISE

your business or organization in the next issue of

THE EBONY REVIEW

CALL 785 608-3291 for information

Birthday Celebration for Sylvia Vaughn

On March 26th, family members and friends of Sylvia

Vaughn gathered at Gage Park Big Shelterhouse to

celebrate her 70th birthday. Great food, music, a

fashion show and various tributes was enjoyed by all.

Juneteenth Celebration in Topeka

The 35th Annual Stardusters Juneteenth Celebration

for Topeka was held June 17, 18 & 19, 2011 at Ripley

Park. The Juneteenth originated at Ripley Park 35

years ago. This years event called "Back Home in

2011" featured a gospel musicfest and social, vendor

booths, speakers, displays, talent shows, an old school

two stepping block party, church service and a

community picnic.

Anazia Family Celebrates Wedding

Rachel Nneka, formerly of Topeka and Christopher

Meeks of Norfolk, VA celebrated their union on June

26, 2011 at the Chesapeake Marriott Hotel. Rachel is

the daughter of Michael and Ruth Anazia. Pictured are

Michael, Emeka, Ruth, Rachel, Christopher and

Dibose.

KANSAS STATE NAACP

Glenda Overstreet has been promoted to President of

the Kansas State NAACP after the recent promotion of

Kevin Myles to Regional Director. Ms. Overstreet

formerly served as 1st Vice President of the Kansas

State NAACP Conference of Branches and

concurrently served as President of the Topeka Branch

NAACP, a position she served for nearly four years.

She brings to the position exceptional leadership

qualities and a wealth of knowledge with respect to

NAACP’s strategic goals, initiatives, policies, and

protocol.

Ms. Overstreet shares her vision for the Kansas State

NAACP, ―I believe it is essential to the sustainability

of our community to increase our membership, work to

enhance partnerships and get people back to work,

ensure economic development opportunities are

available for meeting diverse needs, and to increase the

visibility of ethnic diversity on local and state

committees, boards, and panels.‖

The Kansas State NAACP represents over 2000

members state-wide with 19 branches and is located

within Region 4. In addition to Kansas, Region 4

includes the states of Missouri, Colorado, Minnesota,

Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming,

and South Dakota.

Kevin Myles also held the position as President of the

Wichita NAACP. Lavonta Williams will replace him

as President of the branch. Other officers include

Nathaniel McLaughlin, Kansas City as First Vice

President, Virginia Sewing, NE Johnson County, as

Second Vice President, Lavonta Williams, Wichita,

Secretary, and Renee Wiggins, Topeka, as Treasurer.

Topeka Branch NAACP Town Hall Meeting

On July 9th at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public

Library from 11am to 1pm, the Topeka Branch

NAACP held a Town Hall Meeting. The discussion for

the meeting: School Closing, Racial Profiling and Job

Discrimination. The meeting was very well attended

and provided the opportunity for many to address the

affects of the issues on the community.

The NAACP General Membership Meetings are held every

4th Saturday of the month at the Brown v. Board of

Education, 1515 SE Monroe St., Topeka at 1:00 pm. Free

and open to the public.

Men & Women Building Healthy Relationships

By Pastor Cecil T. Washington Jr.

WHAT’S HAPPENING TO FAMILIES????

The lives of our men, women and children are being

devastated as families are breaking up in record

numbers. The Family Unity, established by God,

where healthy relationships should be nurtured and

developed, is falling apart.

My wife and I recently celebrated 42 years of

marriage. Things God taught us over the years have

held us together through smooth and rough times.

These Relationship Strengthening Principles have

been put together to form the content for the

following two classes.

(1) One is for Young People…Teens & College Aged,

that they may learn how to develop healthy

relationships before it's too late...before they make

unwise decisions that will affect them the rest of their

lives.

(2) The other is for Adults in all categories of

relationships...Single, Dating, Courting, Engaged or

Married.

TEEN & COLLEGE Class - Sundays 9:15am at

TNB; Starting 7/31/11

ADULT Class - Tuesdays 7 to 8:30pm at CPCC,

16th & Clay; Starting 8/2/11

See Registration Forms included within this newsletter

for more specifics. One is for Youth and One is for

Adults.

Share this no charge opportunity with family and

friends. Make copies or pick up more at Church.

PREregistration a week before start up is requested to

ensure we have enough workbooks. Bring it in or Call

it in. 862-1141 Church Office or 267-1545 Pastor W.

Pray for all the attendees...Youth and Adults.

Pray that God will touch hearts and provide ways for

people to attend.

To HIS glory and our good, Pastor Washington

M E N & W O M E N B U I L D I N G R E L A T I O N S H I P S

S I N G L E , D A T I N G , C O U R T I N G , E N G A G E D , O R M A R R I E D

Glorifying God - Unifying As One - Multiplying In Others

Why Are Men In More Trouble Than Women?

Why Do More Women Get Hurt In Relationships?

Understand Male & Female Differences

Learn The Four Levels of Friendship and the Five False Faces Of Love

How Can We Resolve Our Differences? We Talk AT Each Other Instead Of Talking Together!

Learn The Lamp & Light Principle For Families

God’s Design For Family Is In Serious Trouble

Learn To Communicate Without Blaming, Shaming and Attacking

Learn the Basis for Engagement and for a STRONG Marriage

Learn The Godly Way To Discipline Children

SOLID BIBLICAL ANSWERS

To Help Struggling Relationships and To Make Strong Ones Stronger

Workbooks Provided - No Charge For The Class - Offering Accepted

Sponsored by

The New Beginning Baptist (Forbes Field - In Front Of The Tower)

& Central Park Christian Churches (16th

& Clay Sts.)

Instructor: Cecil T. Washington Jr., Senior Pastor of TNB

(785) 862 1141 Church, 267 1545 Residence

Mail Address: PO Box 5514, Topeka, KS 66605

When: Tue. Eve. 7 – 8:30pm - Beginning 8 / 2 / 2011

Where: CPCC; 16th & Clay

Encourage Y our Fam i ly And Friends To A t t end!

Complete The Registration Below. Give to usher, mail or Call in 1 per person. Ok To Copy.

PLEASE PRINT - Tear Here and Keep Top Part For Your Information

U N D E R S T A N D I N G W H A T M A K E S S T R O N G R E L A T I O N S H I P S

Name: ________________________________ Single ___ Married___ Date ___ / ___ / ___

Address: ________________________________________ Phone: ______ - ________

City: ____________________________________ State: _________ Zip Code: _________

Please Circle Your Age Group

18-23 24-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-UP

For Single For Couple

FoFoFoupCou

ples

YOUNG PEOPLE BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

- BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE -

Why Are More Boys In Trouble Than Girls?

Why Do More Girls Get Hurt In Relationships?

Know Why Male & Female Differences Are More Than Physical?

Learn The Four Levels of Friendship and the Five False Faces Of Love

Skills of Communication: Learn To Hear And How To Be Heard

Without Blaming, Shaming and Attacking

What Is God’s Design For Family? Where Does Sex Fit In?

How to Make Right, and Break Wrong, Friendships - Male & Female

What’s the Basis for Engagement & For A Strong Marriage

6.Marriage

5.Engagement

4.Intimate Friends

3.Close Friends

2.Casual Friends

1.Associates / Acquaintances

Sponsored by The New Beginning Baptist Church - Forbes Field (In Front Of The Tower)

Instructor: Pastor Cecil T. Washington Jr.

(785) 862 1141 Church, 267 1545 Pastor Mail Address: PO Box 5514, Topeka, KS 66605

When: Sundays 9:15am Starting 7/31/11

Workbooks will be provided. Encourage your friends to attend!

Complete The Registration – Bring or Call It In - One per person – Get Copies For Others

Tear Here and Keep Above Portion For Your Information

S I N G L E - D A T I N G – C O U R T I N G - E N G A G E M E N T - M A R R I A G E

Name: __________________________________________ Birth Date ____ / ____ / ____

Address: ________________________________________ Phone: ______ - ________

Email: ____________________________________ School: ________________________

City: ____________________________________ State: _________ Zip Code: _____

2 Levels

into

Marriag

e 4 Levels

of

Friendsh

ip

For Couples

For Singles

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Gospel Fest Fundraiser presented by Delta Eta

Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,

Inc.

Saturday, July 16, 2011 4pm - 6pm

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church

1100 SE Washington, Topeka, KS 66607

Contact: (785) 232-1937

Topeka Human Relations Commission

Town Hall Meeting “What’s New to ADA”

Thursday, July 21, 2011 6pm-8pm

Cyrus K. Holliday Building

620 SE Madison-1st Floor Conference Room

Learn about current changes to ADA Law and current

Olmstead Cases and Decisions

Guest Speaker:

Renee Wohlenhaus, Deputy Chief, U.S. Department of

Justice, Disability Rights Section, Washington, D.C.

The Public is Invited

ADA Notice: For special accommodations, contact

David Bevens between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00

p.m. at 368-0900

HUD has announced grant funding of $1 billion will

be distributed to 27 states, including Kansas, to

implement the Emergency Homeowner's Loan

Program (EHLP).

Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc. has been

selected by HUD to assist homeowners in the

application process. Don't miss this opportunity! Time is Running Out to

Get Help with Your Mortgage! You may be eligible for

up to $50,000 in mortgage assistance. The Deadline

to Apply is July 22, 2011

Auto Detailing Services by Eric Flowers

Providing premium detailing services

for clients that have an investment in their vehicle

and those that notice the difference Call 785 640-0688 for an appointment

National NAACP Convention

Los Angeles, California

July 23-28, 2011 Living the Dream Soul, Blues and Jazz Music

Festival

Featuring Ron Gutierrez “The Latin Luther”,

Mike Babb and S’More Blues, Orlando Zuniga

“Smooth Jazz”

Saturday-July 30, 2011 8pm-midnight

Ramada Hotel and Convention Center

Regency Ballroom

420 SE Sixth Street

Cash Bar..Light snack will be provided

Other food available for purchase

Open Seating

$20.00 per person in advance

Pay online at: ltdtopeka.com

$25.00 per person at the door

Link's Fashion Show

Ramada Inn----September 18, 2011@5:00 PM

Tickets $40.00 (must be purchased prior to

September 12th, 2011--for tickets call 785-845-1099)

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To include information on your event or to make

announcements in the next edition of The Ebony

Review, email information to yyotylr@hotmail.com by

September 15, 2011

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The Ebony Review Newsletter is published quarterly by

Yolanda Haley Taylor (Heavenly Visions Foundation) and

Dawn Kirton (Topeka NAACP-ACT-SO)